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Anderson joins Surrey for 2027 after Lancashire exit

Summarised from 5 outlets · 6 reports · Updated 12 Nov, 15:38 · Archive

England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson has signed for Surrey for the 2027 season after not being offered a new contract by Lancashire.

James Anderson, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, has signed for Surrey for the 2027 Rothesay County Championship season. The 44-year-old bowler, who will turn 45 in July, has extended his record-breaking career after being released by Lancashire, the county where he made his professional debut 25 years ago.

Anderson had captained Lancashire during the 2026 season, when the club finished second bottom of Division Two in the County Championship. Despite the team's struggles, he claimed an impressive 50 wickets across 11 matches at an average of 17.68, demonstrating that his skills remain sharp. However, at the end of the season Lancashire decided not to offer him a new contract as part of a rebuilding programme.

The Daily Mail Sport reports that Anderson initially went into a meeting with Lancashire's chief executive Richard Kenyon and director of cricket Paul Farbrace on 19 October intending to step down from the captaincy, though he remained determined to help the side return to the top flight. When he was not offered a new contract, he faced the prospect of retirement.

However, Anderson received interest from multiple counties over the following fortnight. The Daily Mail Sport understands that he chose Surrey despite receiving more lucrative offers elsewhere, attracted by the club's track record of winning trophies. The Guardian reports that Surrey's ability to absorb his wage demands within their £3.2m salary cap gave them the edge, and that they have nine players on England and Wales Cricket Board central contracts, including five seam bowlers.

Surrey finished seventh in Division One last year but won the Championship three years in a row before that and finished second in 2025. Anderson said he was excited to be part of a squad that expects to fight for Championship titles. Speaking on his Tailenders podcast, he said: 'Going from thinking I might not play cricket again to having this opportunity - I'm properly buzzing for it.' He added that he was not doing this for a send-off, and that taking time to process his Lancashire exit before making a decision was important.

In his 21-year England career, Anderson took 911 international wickets, an England record and a record for all pace bowlers. His 704 Test wickets make him the leading English Test bowler and the leading seamer in Test cricket history. The BBC News reports that while the deal is for the 2027 season, it is understood Anderson could continue to play beyond next year.

Anderson joins Surrey for 2027 after Lancashire exit
Image: The Guardian

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In this story: James Anderson · Surrey · Lancashire · England · The Oval

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log